$125M Awarded for ‘Cleen’ Aircraft Engines

The FAA awarded contracts valued at $125 million to several manufacturers to develop and demonstrate technologies that will reduce jet aircraft fuel consumption, emissions and noise. The contracts–awarded to Boeing, General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce North America–are part of the agency’s Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (Cleen) program. The companies will research and demonstrate a variety of technologies, including sustainable alternative aviation fuels; lighter and more efficient engine components; noise-reducing engine nozzles; advanced wing trailing edges; and open-rotor and geared turbofan engines. Environmentally friendly and energy-efficient aircraft and engine technology could be introduced as early as 2015, according to the FAA.